About Ward Reservation

Climb a hill for great views extending from the surrounding Merrimack Valley to the Boston skyline, or explore this sprawling landscape along almost 10 miles of trails.

What makes the Ward Reservation a special place? Credit Mabel Ward for her foresight, generosity, and enduring love. In 1940, seven years after the death of her husband, Charles W. Ward, she paid tribute to his memory and their union by making an original donation of 153 acres to The Trustees. In ensuing years, the Ward family and others have made additional gifts; the reservation now totals 700 acres.

Trails link three major hills – Shrub, Boston, and Holt – and looking out from their summits you can see how the property melds with the surrounding landscape. The “Solstice Stones” mark the grassy summit of Holt Hill, the highest point in Essex County. This compass-like arrangement of stones indicates the cardinal points on the compass, the points of the summer and winter solstices, and the points of the spring and autumnal equinoxes.

At the base of Holt Hill, step onto a boardwalk that leads to Pine Hole Pond, at which point you may ask: Is this water or land? In fact, you are walking across a rare quaking bog, comprised of concentric rings of floating vegetation, each with unique growing conditions. The bog is home to a number of interesting plant species, including orchids and insect-eating pitcher plants. Stop at the numbered stations along the way, each of which signals an interesting botanical or geologic feature. Pick up an interpretive booklet at the bulletin board to follow numbered stations along the boardwalk and learn more about this rare natural phenomenon.

TrailsAlmost 10 miles of trails, easy-to-moderate hiking, strenuous in places. Some of the trails here are part of the Bay Circuit Trail, a regional greenway linking the North Shore and South Shore.

When to VisitYear-round, daily, 8am to sunset. Allow a minimum of 2 hours.

Admission

Property History

The focal point of the Ward Reservation is 420-foot Holt Hill, the highest point in Essex County. The hill is named for the mid-17th-century settlement of Nicholas Holt. On June 17, 1775, townspeople climbed to the top of the 420-foot hill to watch the burning of Charlestown during the Revolutionary War.

Property Acquisition HistoryOriginal acreage a gift, with endowment, of Mrs. Charles W. Ward in 1940 in memory of her husband. Additional land given in 1944, 1946, and 1950. Additional land given by Charles L. Ward, Jr. in 1941; Phillips Andover Academy in 1957 and 1973; Mrs. C. Carleton Kimball and Charles L. Ward in 1958; Elizabeth W. Kimball, Charles L. Ward, John W. Kimball, Richard W. Kimball, Margaret K. Montgomery, Charles L. Ward, Jr., and Thomas B. Ward in 1972; and Mr. and Mrs. Jon Swenson in 1977. Other parcels purchased from 1958 to 1978. Additional land given by the North Andover Improvement Society in 1994; Emily Walton Taft in 1995; Mark Conserva in 1997; and Robert E. Webster in 1999. Additional endowment given by members of the Ward family.

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

Click here to view all ongoing volunteer opportunities available at Ward Reservation and the rest of our reservations.

There are no volunteer positions at this reservation at this time; please check again later or click here to find other opportunities near you.

One-time Volunteer Opportunities

There are no work parties at this reservation at this time; please check again later or click here to find other work parties near you.

Conservation and Stewardship

Periodically, The Trustees of Reservations, in partnership with the North Andover Fire Department, The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Bureau of Fire Control, and Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, intends to conduct a prescribed burn at Ward Hill Reservation in North Andover. This Partnership will apply a prescribed fire (or controlled burn) to part of the more than 30 acres at Boston Hill for the purposes of: protecting and promoting habitat for rare species; improving public and firefighter safety by reducing fuel loads for wildfires; and providing training opportunities for North Andover Firefighters and partners.

Since 1891, The Trustees of Reservations have worked to protect special places in Massachusetts and maintain them to the highest standards. To ensure these standards are met, a program of careful planning and sound management is essential. Comprehensive property management plans are created for each reservation and are completely updated approximately every ten years. We often work with volunteers, property users, and members of the community to carry out this planning, which typically involves several steps:

Describing in detail the site’s natural, scenic, and historical resources; identifying management issues related to the protection of those resources.

Describing how visitors use the property; outlining the opportunities that the property provides for people to become involved in the work of conservation and caring for their community.

Developing a detailed list of management recommendations, a work plan, and a description of financial needs for implementing the actions.

Share your experiences with other visitors on our website. Simply fill out the form below, and we’ll post your comment right here on this page.

Submitted by Joni on: September 8, 2016

BEAUTIFUL! Wondering how the solstice stones work. Tx!

Submitted by Isabel on: August 1, 2016

Ward Reservation is my new favorite place. I can trail run, mountain bike, hike with my doggies. It has such a beautiful variety of vegetation and is so quiet. It's my relief from the city. Thank you Trustees !!

Submitted by Jane & Dan on: July 9, 2016

A slightly rainy and cool day - perfect for walking the blue trail to Elephant Rock. Trails are so well-marked and the wild blueberries were plentiful... The view of Boston from the Solstice Stones is amazing - who knew Ward Reservation was so close by?!

Submitted by Zach on: March 11, 2013

I bring my dog here all the time and she loves it. Lots of space at the top of the hill and at night you can see boston.

Submitted by RF on: June 25, 2012

This is a wonderful, beautiful place. Hard to believe that it is so close to major roads yet is so quiet. Doing Holt, Shrub and Boston hills is great prep for day hiking in the Whites.

Submitted by Ev on: May 23, 2012

Ward Reservation is what rekindled my love of hiking. I've enjoyed it 2 weeks in a row now and I'm looking forward to many more. Thank you!

Submitted by Kel on: March 30, 2012

Top of Holt Hill is such a beautiful spot. The quaking bog and Pine Hole Pond are very interesting.

Submitted by bob 22 on: July 5, 2010

great views well mantained trails and plenty of them.It has become a saturday ritual

Submitted by Dave on: September 8, 2009

Thank you for the foresight and generosity of your predecessors and for your maintenance of and public access to your various properties.